Netroots Nation 2008 Liveblogging...Surprise!

Written by: Cheryl on Jul 19, 2008 4:37 PM EDT

The  conference has been great. Nice hotel, helpful staff and meeting other activists is always the best part. Today I was late for the "Ask The Speaker" session with Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I was debating between Pelosi and sleep, Pelosi and sleep...well, sleep won out for at least 15 more minutes. :)

I ran into Arshad in the hall so I wasn't the only one running late. When I got to the session she was nearly finishing her speech and answering questions people had submitted online. Nothing new or very interesting i.e. I have heard it all before. More canned responses and she pretty much pivoted when the FISA questions were asked which wasn't making the crowd too happy based on grumbles and the holding up of the constitution during her responses. She did handle herself well in general and everyone appreciated her being there knowing she would take some heat, but it didn't solve anything or do anything to absolve the anger and frustration about the lack of progress of this Congress and capitulation on FISA.

Obama's staff members I talked to seem as confused as the rest of us regarding his behavior on that issue, and even his most ardent supporters continually expressed disappointment on that issue. Many others really didn't understand the scope and seriousness until after attending some session this week. It was an eye opener for many who now understand why so many people are up in arms about it. I have kept pretty quite on my level of frustration and disappointed so it was interesting listening to what others had to say, especially those who have been working for him for a few years. I was pretty neutral in the primaries but ended up voting for Edwards so I didn't really have a "dog in the race" so to speak.

Code Pink did a mini protest but it was too far back and not strategic enough to interrupt Pelosi. Instead I think it just upset the people in that area because they couldn't hear. Probably not a good idea upsetting your colleagues who are not your intended target.

I was talking with Xavier, another scholarship winner and very nice guy, when he suddenly says "It's Al Gore!" I dropped everything, grabbed my camera and got as close as I could (not close enough).

I had been reading rumors from Adam B on DailyKos about a "special guest" and my first guess was Al Gore but everyone was telling me "no" so I figured it was someone less interesting. Al Gore and Russ Feingold are two polticians I have always wanted to meet in person and have not had the chance to...so this was quite a thrill.

The photos are not that great. Al was wonderful though! He sat down with Pelosi and Gina the facilitator and took questions from the audience. He looked relaxed and like he was having fun. I went to take photos from the right side and waited to see if he would do a handshake line. It appeared he was not, so I left...only to find out later he DID in fact do one. A woman I talked to at an exhibition got to talk with him and shake his hand. So, I missed my chance. :(

Anyway, here are some photos:

http://www.picturepush.com/public/919864

http://www.picturepush.com/public/919870

I had to just post links because the photo function apparently is not working properly. :(

I am in David Sirota's Uprising session now so I have to go. orry I am not checking for spelling, grammar or other errors. This is blogging on the go with no editing while trying to listen to a session at the same time so you are getting a mind dump post, lol.

Enjoy!

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